Author: Jfuglerwriter

June 4, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer and Hope

Prayer and Hope

A father and husband in Pakistan had lost everything. His family was destitute. He had even started borrowing money and the debt grew to more than he could repay. He sold everything he dared and still his family’s financial life was hopeless. So hopeless that he and his wife decided to take poison one night to commit suicide. They would also feed the poison to their two children.

The man turned on the radio for background noise before taking the poison. What happened next was miraculous. The Christian announcer began talking about suicide and urged listeners not to do it. The man and his wife listened. For the first time in many months, they had a glimmer of hope as they heard about the One who could give them hope – Jesus.

They didn’t commit suicide that night. Or ever. In fact, after listening for many days to that station, they came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Hope keeps us alive.

If life is beating you up right now, there’s hope. The Lord Jesus Christ gave his life so you could have yours. In fact, he said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

Satan wants to steal your joy and kill your hope. When you believe his lies, you lose perspective. Your problems overwhelm you. A crisis owns you. Emotionally, you spiral down. For our friend in Pakistan, this went on for months, to the point that he wanted to end it all for himself and his family.

Your situation may not be as bad as his, but you may be tired of walking around overcome by a heavy heart. You’re ready for a change.

God is a God of miracles. He can lift you out of your despair and snatch you from the one who wants to destroy you. Jesus promises a life of fulness. That means one of contentment, joy, peace and satisfaction. One where you connect to God in a fresh way. Whatever has taken away your hope will be dealt with by God so you can experience him.

Is your hope in Jesus? Not only for your salvation, but for your daily life? Can you give him those things that have taken away your hope? Can you take your eyes off today and consider your eternal destiny with God?

The big picture is that “we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13 NIV) You and I will spend eternity with Jesus and witness his glory. That’s an incredible thing to look forward to.

For this moment, in this trying season, God is right there with you. Psalm 55:22 has these assuring words, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you.” (NIV)

The Lord will give you hope now, and he is your hope for eternity. That’s good news.

Spend time today casting your cares on God. Turn to Jesus and invite him to replace your despair with his hope. He offers you life to the full.

(Experience a fresh intimacy with God in prayer in my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon).

May 31, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus My Brother

Jesus My Brother

Have you ever thought of Jesus as your brother? 

Lord? Yes. Savior? Yes. But brother? Yes again!

It’s often hard to comprehend that the Lord Jesus Christ is also your brother. How can it be?

Think about James, Jesus’ brother in the flesh. He was perplexed, too. Jesus was his brother but, after the resurrection, he also regarded Jesus as his Lord. He was a devoted early church follower of his own brother.

Jesus makes this statement, “He looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’” (Mark 3:34-35 ESV)

When you were adopted into God’s family through salvation, you immediately became a brother of Jesus. Although you’re considered a brother by adoption, Jesus doesn’t see it that way. He sees you as his full-fledged brother. This spiritual relationship is far more important to Jesus than the physical relationships of family.

Consider this promise: “For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Hebrews 2:11 ESV)

Jesus calls you his brother. 

When I think about this, it melts my heart. It doesn’t change the fact that I worship my Lord and Savior. However, there are times that I need a brother to pour my heart out to. I need someone, like my brother Bob, that I can bounce off ideas, share my struggles, ask advice and just spend time with.

Jesus is the best brother you or I can ever have. He’s the perfect brother. Is your mind spinning as you think about this? The Lord of the universe has come down to relate to you as your brother. He lowered himself to assume that role. Because he loves you.

Treasure your relationship with Jesus as your brother. Enjoy it! Enjoy him.

What is it that you value in a relationship with a brother? Make a mental or written note right now. Then, throughout the next few days, speak to Jesus as your brother. He wants to hang out with you. Through thick and thin, Jesus your brother is by your side.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God; 30 Days With Jesus. Available in Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon).

May 25, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Embracing the Brown

Embracing the Brown

How easy it is to praise Jesus when things are going right. In fact, we equate smooth sailing with God’s will. When things are good, we’re sure God has us in that great place. When things are bad, we question whether we’re in God’s will.

Unfortunately, it’s the Western way of thinking. Not God’s way. We equate success with God’s blessing; hardship with his punishment. I know that’s a pretty harsh statement, but it’s true.

“I got a new job! Praise God!”

“I lost my job today. Lord, please help me get out of this mess.”

My lawn turned brown this month. From lush green to dead and gone in just a few weeks. I was really bummed. In fact, it occupied my thinking a lot during the day. It became my focus. I enjoy green grass and pride myself in the way I take care of it. So you can imagine the negative thoughts that crept into my mind.

Then it hit me. Why was I complaining? It’s not a big deal. In fact, I realized that God wanted to use my brown lawn to build his Kingdom. “C’mon, Jon,” you say, “that’s going a bit too far.”

Let me explain. We had just moved into our neighborhood and had asked God to give us opportunities to share Jesus with our neighbors. Our lawn soon became a conversation piece with everyone we talked with, including random people who strolled by for an evening walk. It has provided for some great interactions! 

We prayed and God answered with the gift of a brown lawn. Maybe this will become a neighborhood project!

What’s your brown lawn? Don’t see it as God’s displeasure with you. Embrace it as God’s gift. 

The brown lawns of life test the depth of our relationship with Jesus. When we are rooted in him, the storms above ground don’t sway us. When we aren’t rooted well in Jesus, we get yanked around by circumstances and hardships. 

Rooted firmly in Jesus, we see things as he does. We understand that Jesus hasn’t abandoned us in hardship. In fact, he is right there with us. Hardship strengthens our fellowship with him. Our roots go deeper in tough times if we embrace them with Jesus.

Having an eternal perspective is so important when serious, difficult and trying situations hit your life. Jesus is the source of that perspective. Lean into him and drive your spiritual roots deeper.

Have a talk with Jesus today about the brown lawn in your life. Ask him to use it for his glory.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus. Available in Kindle and paperback formats on Amazon).


May 10, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus and Solitude

Jesus and Solitude

Solitude was important to Jesus. He was one of the busiest men on earth and needed time away from the crowds. He loved people, but even he had to protect his emotional health and his relationship with the Father. 

Luke tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16 NIV)

Mark describes, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’” (Mark 1:35-36 NIV). Despite the constant demands of people, Jesus got away from it all.

He knew when he needed to send everyone away, even his closest friends. “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.” (Matthew 14:22-23 NIV)

Before one of the biggest decisions of his life, Jesus chose to spend extended time alone with the Father. “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:12 NIV)

Being alone with God feeds our relationship with him. It revitalizes our spirit and re-centers our life. It clears our mind to listen to God in prayer. Jesus had one-on-one time with the Father. You and I can’t ignore that for our own life. Along with the Father, we get Jesus, too, in these times of solitude!

One-on-one time with Jesus allows us to push out the action from our lives as we slow down in quietness with him. It’s about settling our spirit and communing with our Savior. 

It’s easily said, but rarely done. I think we’d admit that it isn’t a hard thing to do. So why don’t we do it?

  • We are in the midst of a spiritual war. The enemy wants to distract us and keep us from Jesus.
  • We live too fast. Slowing down is unusual. Stopping is rare.
  • Let’s admit it. It’s boring. We approach solitude with God and want something to happen. We want action. Time with God is just the opposite. We have to change our thinking on that and realize that we are in the presence of the Lord of all. What a privilege. It’s not boring at all.

What can you push away today to carve out time alone with God?

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus. Available now on Amazon).

May 4, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Jesus my Friend

Jesus my Friend

Last summer, our kids hosted a good-bye reception for us before we left Colorado for North Carolina. Spending more than seven years in the Rocky Mountain state, we had developed many good friendships. 

I was feeling down with the thought of celebrating our departure. I just wanted to slip away rather than go through the pain of saying good-bye to many people we had done life with all those years. 

It was also the last day with my brother and his family, who lived just an hour away. We’d be giving up family get-togethers with them. Then there was our son and family, who hosted the open house. We had lived in the same town for three years, developing a strong bond.

Saying good-bye isn’t easy. 

If you’ve moved away at some point, you know what I mean. I was sad to leave family and friends.

Then I remembered Jesus. He’s a great friend. He would be going to North Carolina with us, just as he had done in our move from California to Colorado several years earlier.

Jesus told his followers, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.” (John 15:15 ESV)

When I think of Jesus as my friend, a warmth soothes my soul. Maybe it’s because I picture this King of Kings and Lord of Lords stepping down off his throne and sitting beside me. Friends sit next to each other or across from each other and this is what Jesus does with us.

The great hymn, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, goes through my mind:

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Ev’rything to God in prayer!”

Jesus is a friend who has done much more for you than any other friend you have ever had. He has borne your sins, grief, anxiety, pain — everything that weighs on your heart! 

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)

Jesus is a friend who has given his life for you. He continues to be there to bond with you as you do life together. He’ll celebrate your victories and put his arm around you in your losses. 

I’m not sure if you’re going through separation, loneliness, betrayal, grief, anxiety, suffering or some other pain right now. I do know that Jesus is your friend. He sits beside you. He is your faithful friend who gave his life for you and continues to give and give and give.

If you feel like you need a friend these days, you’ve got one. Jesus. Thank him for his friendship.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days With Jesus. Available on Amazon.

April 25, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy and the Word

Joy and the Word

Life happens and our joy is sucked right out of us. We’re blindsided by getting fired, losing a good friend, receiving a call from our child’s principal’s office, or . . . you fill in the blank. 

You might be in that place right now.

I understand.

I remember one of my most heart-wrenching moments. I heard about the death of a friend. He was only in his 30s and I learned the details on TV. The shock just killed me. I dropped to my knees in anguish before God and sobbed.

“No, no!” I shouted. “No, no!” Still, to this day, I grieve over the sudden loss of this dear friend.

How can our joy be restored when we are suddenly thrown to the depths?

The same way our joy is restored when we are lackluster, lukewarm or indifferent towards God and life.

I believe the Word of God is our anchor. There is something about his Word that feeds us supernaturally. Jesus said it himself, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 NIV)

Every single word of Scripture is from the mouth of God. We have a treasure trove of nourishment for our soul. This nourishment builds and restores joy. I can’t explain how it happens, but it does.

How about this truth? Jesus rose from the dead. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”  (Matthew 28:6) Now that really makes me happy. Not the world’s kind of happiness. Joyful! As only God can produce!

There are thousands of truths in the Bible that are foundational for our joy. I just mentioned one.  Centering on that truth alone will drill deep into your soul and produce a consistent joy.

Whatever has robbed your joy, it’s no match for God’s Word. I encourage you to feed on God’s Word today. Dwell on the truths that will build a deep joy in your life. A joy that will help you cope strongly with your current struggles.

Here are some promises you can read, think about and pray through. Feed your soul. Feed joy.

God’s inseparable love: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

The power of God’s Word to change your life: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)

God relieves your fear: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Day of Joy. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).

April 18, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Joy and the Resurrection

Joy and the Resurrection

The resurrection is the most joyful event in history.

Think about the contrast felt by Jesus’ followers. He was crucified on Friday. The hopes that they had for their king to rule were dashed. They were banking on an earthly rule and being rescued from the oppression of Rome. Now their king was dead. Their expectations died with him.

The disciples scattered. Their faith vanished in a day. They didn’t want to be caught as one of Jesus’ followers. Three years of their lives were wasted following a dream. The foolish eleven shamefully faced going back to their jobs.

Then came Easter.

The two Marys were at the tomb and witnessed the supernatural:

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.” (Mathew 28:2 NIV)

If that wasn’t astonishing enough, the angel spoke to the women:

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” (Matthew 28:5-7 NIV)

The two Marys were the first to experience what all believers have experienced since that day.  Absolute . . . incomprehensible . . . outrageous . . . overflowing . . . JOY!

“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” (Matthew 28:8 NIV)

They were filled with joy. Sorrow, depression and hopelessness were chased away by a God-given joy that reigned inside them. 

How long has it been since you’ve taken time to consider the miracle of the resurrection? Not just a passing intellectual acknowledgment, but immersing yourself in the contrasting scenes: the crucifixion and the resurrection. You’ll understand why the two Marys were filled with joy.

That same joy can flood your soul. 

Pull out or click on your Bible. Slowly read through Matthew 27 and 28. View the stark contrast between the dashed hope of the crucifixion and the renewed hope of the resurrection. 

Let God speak to you in this unhurried space. Allow your senses to go to those scenes two thousand years ago. Be wrapped up in the wonderful story of Jesus’ resurrection.

Our joy rests in the truth that we, too, will be resurrected to be with Jesus. Forever. There is no greater blessing we can experience. It transcends any earthly pain we are suffering now.

May your joy be renewed today in such a way that every destructive thought or emotion is chased out of your life . . . just as they were chased out of the followers of Jesus two thousand years ago. Happy Easter!

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Joy. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback.

April 12, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer for Your Family

Prayer for Your Family

Oops. I forgot to pray for my wife today. In fact, it’s been several days. And our kids, too. Then there’s our grandkids. I haven’t prayed for them either.

Can you relate to my confession? We forget to pray for our own family members. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You can change that.

When you pray for your family, you’re having a more powerful impact on their lives than perhaps any other person. You probably know them better than anyone else and can pray in detailed ways that others can’t. While their friends pray for the obvious things, you can go to a deeper level with God.

What are some of the deep needs your family members are facing today? If they’re with you in your home, sit down and have a conversation. Find out what they are dealing with. Let them talk freely. You’re not on a mission to get prayer requests. You’re discovering what’s on their heart that can begin to be on your heart in prayer.

Often, we detect prayer needs in casual conversations with family members or simply by observing them. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and how he brings things to your attention.

If you have family members who don’t live with you anymore, give them a call. Catch up with them. Let them know that you’re praying for them. That will encourage them and it could be exactly what they need at the moment.

As you engage in prayer for your family, ask them for updates about those requests from time to time. Of course, if you’re praying for sensitive things you’ve noticed but they haven’t shared, you may not want to ask for an update. Just keep observing and praying.

It helps to write things down so you’re not just praying general prayers. People who came to Jesus for help were very specific about their needs. Be specific in your prayers for your family.

As you pray, your love and care for your family members will grow. You’re investing your time and heart in them. God will bring you closer to them.

One of the ways you can stay consistent is to write their names and requests in a prayer journal, notepad or index card. Or it could be as simple as a list on your phone. Half the battle is remembering. These ways will help.

Your family members have been given to you by God. No matter what quirkiness there may be, or even estrangement, you have the opportunity to bless them through prayer. Watch God change their lives. And yours.

(From my devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. Available on Amazon.)

March 18, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Christ-Centered Prayer

Christ-Centered Prayer

Do you want your prayer life to be personally empowering and refreshing? Let me recommend Christ-centered prayer.

Hey Jon, aren’t all our prayer supposed to be Christ-centered? Sure, but that doesn’t mean they are.

We can go into prayer two ways. The first is with our needs in the spotlight. The second is with Jesus in the spotlight. There are times when we should lead with our needs, especially when they’re urgent or heavy on our heart. God wants us to come to him openly, for he is our Father.

When your prayer life is Christ-centered, there will be a marked difference in how you come away from your encounters with God. Let’s use today as an example.

I know you’ve got some things to bring to God. Prayer requests of your own and of others. That’s good. We should be doing that.

However, how about starting differently? Let’s begin with Christ. Recognize his presence as you come to the throne of God. Acknowledge him. Honor him. Thank him for being there with you in this time of prayer. Spend a few minutes letting your mind get lost in the thought that the God of the universe has taken time to be present. It’s remarkable. He’s got a big universe to run, but he always has time for you.

That thought is empowering! You’re calling on the One who spoke creation into existence.

Next, talk to Jesus about himself. Recognize and honor him for who he is. He is your Savior, the Living Word, Son of the Most High God, King, Sovereign Lord, Love, Emmanuel (God with us) and so much more.

Are you starting to get excited? Is your focus shifting? Is your spirit being refreshed?

Now bring Jesus your needs but do it in a Christ-centered way. Here’s how. Instead of starting with you, start with him. You’re already focused on Jesus, so continue that way.

Notice the difference. You could pray, “Lord Jesus, I need your wisdom for a couple of big issues today. I’ve got some tough decisions to make.”

Instead, you could pray another way. “Lord Jesus, you are the all-wise God. You’re all-knowing. Praise you for that. Please give me your wisdom today, that I might bring you glory in some really hard decisions I’m facing. I trust in you, not in my own understanding.”

There’s power when Jesus is at the center of your prayers. Instead of focusing on “I” and “me,” focus on “You.” That You is Jesus. And that’s Christ-centered prayer.

If you want your prayer life to be energizing and empowering, enjoying Jesus in a fresh way, then begin your times with God, centering on Jesus.

(From my new devotional Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer, available on Amazon).


March 6, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Prayer and Faith

Prayer and Faith

(My new devotional has just released, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Incredible Prayer. May God use it to change lives, perhaps yours. This post is an excerpt from the devo).

Do we pray because we have faith, or do we have faith because we pray? That might be too much of a mind-twister if you’re reading this before your morning coffee.

Imagine being the father in Mark 9 whose son was demon-possessed. Things were so severe that since childhood the demon had harassed the boy, even throwing him often into the fire. This dad lived in complete horror I’m sure, watching his self-destructive son act out for years. Any bit of faith had to be gone.

Enter Jesus. He interviews the father about his son, and in an instant, commands the demon to leave the boy. The demon violently exits and leaves the boy lying there like a corpse. Jesus then takes him by the hand and brings the boy to his feet.

At that moment, the father was caught between two worlds, faith and no-faith. He shouted to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

That’s a confusing statement. I’m sure this dad was so beside himself he didn’t really know what he believed. After seeing Jesus do the miracle and his son returning to a normal life, his faith was a mile high. That’s what I call “adrenaline faith.” He saw Jesus do a miracle and it carried his faith to a new level — temporarily I’m sure.

Adrenaline faith doesn’t last long. It depends on seeing God work. We go from blessing to blessing and our faith follows. It’s a tough way to live.

We really want deep, steady faith. Instead of being tied to God’s blessings, it’s tied to God himself. Rather it being an experience connected to God’s workings, it’s about experiencing God himself.

That comes by spending time with God. And that’s what prayer is all about. You and God enjoying each other. You speak to him and then listen as he speaks to your heart.

The Holy Spirit strengthens your relationship with God as you develop a habit of prayer. Your faith grows. Instead of a mile high like the dad, a mile deep. Your faith will be well-rooted.

Let’s go back to my opening question, “Do we pray because we have faith, or do we have faith because we pray?” The answer is, “Yes.”

It’s a cycle. Your faith feeds your prayer life. Your prayer life feeds your faith. It’s far from the adrenaline faith the dad was experiencing. Your faith will be deeply rooted because you’re spending time with God.

A benefit of your prayer life is that you’ll see God answer your prayers. That will also grow your faith. But, rather than it being one dramatic instance, you’ll see God work consistently.

Try it. Go to God. Pray. Watch him work. In your heart and around you.

Available on Amazon.
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